Wilma Butts
Hope Springs Green (detail), 2023
Repurposed paper and silk fibre (mixed media) 44"H x 16"W x 2"D
“Hope Springs Green” explores the tragic devastation of the 2023 Nova Scotia wild fires. Acres of wild forest and natural habitat were destroyed as a result of careless human interaction. The tragic loss of flora and fauna will take centuries to recover. In the wake of this destruction, nature has begun the repair and regrowth process. Take a walk through these burned out areas and you will see glimpses of bright green reaching for the sun. With our protection, the natural habitat destroyed in these fires may recover. We can only hope that humans will do better in the future. “Hope Springs Green” was created using a shaped resist dye process on reclaimed paper and silk fibre. The original form of the smooth paper was destroyed, then reshaped to create a 3D sculptural form. The paper was shaped, dyed and sculpted to represent the bark of the tree from which it originated. The reused silk panel was shaped, dyed and sculpted to represent resilient new green regrowth.
Wilma Butts
Hope Springs Green, 2023
Repurposed paper and silk fibre (mixed media) 44"H x 16"W x 2"D
“Hope Springs Green” explores the tragic devastation of the 2023 Nova Scotia wild fires. Acres of wild forest and natural habitat were destroyed as a result of careless human interaction. The tragic loss of flora and fauna will take centuries to recover. In the wake of this destruction, nature has begun the repair and regrowth process. Take a walk through these burned out areas and you will see glimpses of bright green reaching for the sun. With our protection, the natural habitat destroyed in these fires may recover. We can only hope that humans will do better in the future. “Hope Springs Green” was created using a shaped resist dye process on reclaimed paper and silk fibre. The original form of the smooth paper was destroyed, then reshaped to create a 3D sculptural form. The paper was shaped, dyed and sculpted to represent the bark of the tree from which it originated. The reused silk panel was shaped, dyed and sculpted to represent resilient new green regrowth.
Wilma Butts
Balance in Blue (detail), 2023
Silk fibre, ceramic (Mixed Media) 40"H x 40"W x 2"D
“Balance in Blue” is an homage to the strength and fragility that balance in nature's diversity. The hard ceramic structure evokes impressions of rock, shell, coral or wood, while the translucent fabric suggests petals, mushrooms, seaweed, rushing water or a flowing breeze. The interpretation is in the mind of the beholder. It's a simple study of natural contrasts...hard and soft, light and dark, translucent and opaque, fluid and rigid. Nature presents these amazing contrasts everyday. It's the balance of these elements that makes the magic of our natural world.
Wilma Butts
Balance in Blue, 2023
Silk fibre, ceramic (Mixed Media) 40"H x 40"W x 2"D
“Balance in Blue” is an homage to the strength and fragility that balance in nature's diversity. The hard ceramic structure evokes impressions of rock, shell, coral or wood, while the translucent fabric suggests petals, mushrooms, seaweed, rushing water or a flowing breeze. The interpretation is in the mind of the beholder. It's a simple study of natural contrasts...hard and soft, light and dark, translucent and opaque, fluid and rigid. Nature presents these amazing contrasts everyday. It's the balance of these elements that makes the magic of our natural world.
Wilma Butts
Duality, 2022
Sericin scoured silk with felt backing 36" x 60"
This piece is one of a series of portraits that began to appear in my work during the restrictive isolation phase of the pandemic. This period of social isolation resulted in great hardship for people, on various levels. One of the significant struggles of this period was the drastic loss of human connection. Perhaps one of the benefits was an opportunity for increased self awareness. “Duality” explores the concept of the conscious and subconscious mind, the private and public face that we present and the duality and conflict inherent in being human.
Wilma Butts
Shadows Deep, 2022
Sericin scoured silk with felt backing 42" x 45"
This piece is one of a series of portraits that began to appear in my work during the restrictive isolation phase of the pandemic. This period of social isolation resulted in great hardship for people, on various levels. One of the significant struggles of this period was the drastic loss of human connection. Perhaps one of the benefits was an opportunity for increased self awareness.
Wilma Butts
Outside the Lines, 2022
Sericin scoured silk with felt backing 42" x 40"
This piece is one of a series of portraits that began to appear in my work during the restrictive isolation phase of the pandemic. This period of social isolation resulted in great hardship for people, on various levels. One of the significant struggles of this period was the drastic loss of human connection. Perhaps one of the benefits was an opportunity for increased self awareness.
Wilma Butts
Daisho, 2010
Silk & aluminum 24" x 80"
Daisho is a balance of light and dark, transparency and opacity. The floating quality of the weightless silk is grounded by the solidity of the metal. As in nature, balance is everything!
Wilma Butts
Anemone (detail), 2007
Silk approx. 30" x 60"
Created using shibori shaped silk and fibre reactive dyes. This piece explores the transparent ethereal beauty of the underwater world. Anemone is alive with movement, texture and dimension.
Wilma Butts
Amanita 3, 2012
Silk, fibre reactive dye 6" x 19"
Amanita #3 explores the potential of using the texture and shading of shibori dyed and pleated silk as a sculptural medium. The texture created by the intricate thread bound, pole wrapped process has been captured in the silk fibre creating thousands of tiny knife edged pleats. The incredible 'memory' of silk makes this possible.
